Chairman Royce applauds passage of measures that improve trade, foreign aid effectiveness and auditing, and global health programs, and help first responders overseas

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), passed four bipartisan measures.  A summary of the Committee action, including adopted amendments, will be available HERE.
 
The Committee passed H.R. 2845, the AGOA Enhancement Act of 2015 (introduced by Chairman Royce (R-CA)), as amended, which promotes access to benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act.
 
Upon passage of H.R. 2845, Chairman Royce said: “AGOA provides economic opportunities to countries that show a commitment to good governance and democratic principles, and has helped thousands of Africans find much-needed work, helping U.S. exporters.  Today’s bill will continue to improve trade capacity and relationships between African companies and the United States and help remove the bureaucratic barriers and needless red-tape that thwarts trade.  And it will mean new opportunities for U.S. farmers, manufacturers, and small businesses.”
 
Also, the Committee passed H.R. 3766, the Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act (introduced by Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX)), which directs the President to establish guidelines for United States foreign development and economic assistance programs.
 
Upon passage of H.R. 3766, Chairman Royce said:  “With no shortage of crises around the globe, it is critical that foreign assistance is efficient and effective.  Today’s legislation does just that by establishing a robust framework for the monitoring and evaluation of U.S. development programs.  The bill will ensure that the many Federal departments and agencies that implement these programs coordinate – and not duplicate – efforts, and apply the lessons learned from evaluations so we can do more of what works in development and less of what doesn’t.”
 
Also, the Committee passed H.R. 3750, the First Responders Passport Act (introduced by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA)), as amended, which waives the passport fees for individuals responding to natural disasters abroad.
 
Upon passage of H.R. 3750, Chairman Royce said:  “Every year, brave American volunteers, including from Los Angeles county, respond to disasters around the world. These heroes should not be deterred by fees and red tape from Washington.  This Act will provide a small but important benefit for those first responders who represent us so well when responding to large-scale tragedies, like this year’s massive earthquake in Nepal.”
 
Additionally, the Committee passed H.R. 2241, the Global Health Innovation Act of 2015 (introduced by Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ)) which directs the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to submit to Congress a report on the development and use of global health innovations in the programs, projects, and activities of the Agency.
 
A summary of the Committee action, including adopted amendments, will be available HERE.

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